Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the diameter of an open end of a container is claimed. The apparatus comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A die is supported in the housing about the longitudinal axis. A radially expandable pilot member is also supported in the housing. The radially expandable pilot member is selectively moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position relative to the longitudinal axis. The radially expandable pilot member comprises a plurality of forming members. A method which utilizes the apparatus is also claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the diameter of an open end of a container is claimed. The apparatus comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A die is supported in the housing about the longitudinal axis. A radially expandable pilot member is also supported in the housing. The radially expandable pilot member is selectively moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position relative to the longitudinal axis. The radially expandable pilot member comprises a plurality of forming members. A method which utilizes the apparatus is also claimed.

Abstract: A die assembly includes spinning pilot rollers for necking-in the open end of a container. The die assembly includes a cylindrical die for engaging the outside surface of a container. A tubular spindle is rotatably mounted along the axis of the die. One or more of rollers are rotatably mounted on the spindle, and each roller is pivotable about an axis which extends parallel to the axis of the die. An actuator is reciprocably mounted within the spindle and is movable between first and second positions for camming the rollers away from the axis of the spindle and toward the inside surface of the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming a bottom of a drawn and ironed beverage container is disclosed. The container has a longitudinal axis and a side wall parallel with the longitudinal axis. The bottom has an outer annular wall, a convex U-shaped portion and a preformed bottom wall. The preformed bottom wall includes a center domed portion. The bottom further has an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The apparatus comprises a roller movable from an inward position where the roller does not contact the annular, substantially longitudinal wall to an outward position where the roller contacts the annular, substantially longitudinal wall, and a movable actuator to move the roller into engagement with and circumferentially about the annular, substantially longitudinal wall to reform the substantially longitudinal wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming the bottom of a container (20) and a container made by that method is disclosed. The container for which this method and apparatus are suitable has an outer annular wall (26); a convex U-shaped portion (28); a preformed bottom wall (30), including a center domed portion (32); and an annular wall (34) joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The method comprises supporting the bottom peripheral profile portion and bringing a reforming means (36) into engagement with the annular wall. The reforming means is brought to bear against the annular wall to rework the annular wall. The reforming means can also reform the outer annular wall.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed container (C) that includes a cylindrical side wall, a smoothly-tapered neck (134) with an open end and an integral bottom wall (137) at the opposite end has a plurality of inwardly-deformed panel segments (130) located in the side wall between adjacent arcuate segments (132) with the panel defining generally chordal bottom walls for the panel segments. The container is formed using a multi-station processing apparatus that consists of a plurality of identical stations (30) located around the periphery of a rotating turret (26). Each station includes a support mandrel (50), a container loading means (52, 53) and an impression mandrel (54), with the impression mandrel being pivoted into and out of pressure engagement with the support mandrel to deform the side wall of the container. The support mandrel has a cylindrical peripheral surface (102) that conforms to the inner diameter of the container side wall and has circumferentially-spaced, axially-extending pockets (104.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming the bottom of a drawn and ironed or a drawn beverage container, and a container made by that method. The container for which this method and apparatus are suitable has a vertical axis; a generally cylindrical side wall parallel with the vertical axis; an outer annular wall; a convex U-shaped portion; a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion; and an annular, substantially vertical wall joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The method comprises supporting the container in a jig, the jig having a bottom peripheral profile portion substantially corresponding in shape to the outer annular wall of the container. The bottom peripheral profile portion of the jig is then mated with the outer annular wall. A reforming roller is brought into engagement with the substantially vertical wall. The reforming roller rotates along the vertical wall and about an arcuate path, affecting the angle of the substantially vertical wall.

Abstract: A bitumen composition comprising asphalt and a low molecular weight .alpha.-olefin homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is useful in the preparation of roofing coatings or materials and the cured roofing material will exhibit improved low temperature flexibility when compared to prior art roofing compositions. The composition may also contain other additives including high molecular weight polymers, fillers, fire retardants, anti-oxidants, anti-ozonants, pigments and the like.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for roll forming to neck-in D&I can ends and replace double necks and triple necks is disclosed. An externally disposed free roll having independently rotatable sections is moved inward and axially against the outside wall of the open end of a rotating trimmed can to form a conical neck at the open end of the cap, the two sections of the roller having different speeds depending upon neck diameters respectively engaged thereby. A spring loaded interior support roller moves under the forming force of the free roll. This is a single operation where the can rotates and the free roll rotates such that a smooth conical necked end and flange are produced.

Abstract: Open-ended cylindrical shells, such as might become beverage cans or containers, are necked (and/or may be flanged) at the open end by tooling including a cooperating internal mandrel and external forming roller; at the opposite end of the shell there is a chuck to clamp and spin the shell. The chuck spins the shell while the forming roller forces the rim portion at the open end of the shell progressively into contact with the opposed mandrel to form the neck and/or the flange. The tooling is repeated in sets at regular spaced intervals between and about a pair of rotating wheels, there being a shell supported between the tools at each tool position so that continuous production is achieved within a production loop or orbit which occupies limited space. Variations in shell thickness or metallurgy can be complied with by employing a variable speed drive both for the chuck and a rotatable collar which fits the open end of the shell. Gears are part of the variable speed drive.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for roll forming to neck-in D&I cans ends and replace double necks and triple necks is disclosed. An externally disposed free roll is moved inward and axially against the outside wall of the open end of a trimmed can. A spring loaded interior support roller moves under the forming force of the free roll. This is a single operation where the can rotates and the free roll rotates such that a smooth conical necked end and flange are produced.

Abstract: The trimmed edges of cylindrical metal bodies are freed of internal burrs by shifting the body axially on the support means to move the burr-bearing edge from the cutting element to a cylindrical surface portion, following which an ironing tool flattens the burr against the surface so as to effect its fracture and removal from the body.